The bustling metropolis of New Eridu is set for another significant roster expansion as Zenless Zone Zero's Version 2.1 Phase II banners prepare to go live. Commencing on August 6, 2026, Proxies will have a fresh opportunity to recruit two formidable S-Rank Agents, Alice Thymefield and the Deputy Chief of Hollow Special Operations Section 6, Yanagi, alongside their signature W-Engines. This banner phase promises to bolster team compositions with powerful new options for both anomaly-focused and versatile combat strategies.

Featured S-Rank Agent: Alice Thymefield

Alice Thymefield makes her grand entrance as a limited S-Rank Agent specializing in the Physical Anomaly attribute. For players who have been seeking a dedicated agent to excel in building and exploiting Physical anomalies, Alice represents a premier choice. Her combat philosophy revolves around meticulous order and precision; disrupting her flow is not advised. She arrives with her exclusive signature W-Engine, Practiced Perfection, a weapon that synergizes perfectly with her kit to maximize her anomaly output and overall damage potential.

Key Details:

• Role: Anomaly (Physical)

• Rarity: S-Rank (Limited)

• Signature W-Engine: Practiced Perfection

• Playstyle: Focuses on applying and detonating Physical anomaly stacks for massive damage.

Featured S-Rank Agent: Yanagi

Returning for a highly anticipated rerun is Yanagi, the esteemed Deputy Chief. Renowned as one of the game's most adaptable and straightforward characters to build, she offers incredible value for both new and veteran Proxies. If you missed her during her initial debut, this is your second chance to secure this versatile powerhouse. Accompanying her is her signature W-Engine, Timeweaver, which enhances her capabilities and solidifies her role as a flexible core unit in numerous team archetypes.

Key Details:

• Role: Versatile Damage/Support

• Rarity: S-Rank (Limited)

• Signature W-Engine: Timeweaver

• Playstyle: Praised for flexibility, ease of building, and strong performance in various team compositions.

Featured A-Rank Agents

Both banners will also feature the same set of A-Rank Agents, providing excellent support and defensive options:

These A-Rank Agents are excellent additions for rounding out team synergies, especially for players building around the new S-Rank recruits.

Try Before You Pull: The Final Callback – Audition Stage

HoYoverse continues its player-friendly approach by offering a trial period for all featured agents. During the entire banner duration, players can access The Final Callback – Audition Stage. This mode allows you to:

• Test the complete kits of both S-Rank Agents (Alice and Yanagi).

• Experiment with the featured A-Rank Agents (Soukaku and Seth).

• Earn valuable in-game rewards simply for participating.

Access Requirements:

• Reach Inter-Knot Level 8.

• Complete the Prologue mission.

A convenient new feature for 2026: If you have previously tested any of the featured A-Rank Agents in past trial events, you can now skip their trial segment entirely and claim the rewards immediately, saving time for focused testing on the new S-Rank units.

Strategic Insights and Team Building

The introduction of Alice, a dedicated Physical Anomaly specialist, opens new strategic avenues. Teams can now be constructed around consistently applying the Physical debuff and triggering devastating chain reactions. Yanagi's rerun, meanwhile, provides a reliable and powerful cornerstone for countless team compositions due to her inherent flexibility and synergy with a wide array of W-Engines and Drive Discs.

Potential Team Synergies:

• Alice Teams: Pair her with agents who can assist in quickly building anomaly stacks or provide defense shred to amplify her burst damage.

• Yanagi Teams: Her versatile nature allows her to slot into teams as a primary damage dealer, a sub-DPS, or even a supportive role, making her an invaluable asset for tackling the game's most challenging content.

For Proxies seeking in-depth analysis, comprehensive build guides detailing optimal W-Engine choices, Drive Disc (artifact) sets, skill priorities, and team compositions for both Alice and Yanagi are available. These guides are essential reading for maximizing the potential of these powerful new additions to your roster in 2026's evolving meta.

Conclusion

The Phase II banners of Version 2.1 represent a significant moment for Zenless Zone Zero in 2026, offering two top-tier S-Rank Agents with distinct and powerful roles. Whether you are drawn to the meticulous, anomaly-focused chaos of Alice Thymefield or the proven, adaptable strength of Yanagi, this banner phase is not to be missed. Remember to utilize The Final Callback stage to ensure these agents fit your playstyle before committing your hard-earned Polychromes. Prepare your teams, Proxies—New Eridu's challenges await your newly empowered squads! 🎮✨